Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-16

Architect Alfred Gould has completed
plans for the elegant residence of Mr.. J. Oak
Davidson which will b. ers,t.d on River
view avenue Work has already commenced
on the foundation. IL will be built mainly
of st. Louis pressed brick, walls to be thir-
teen inches thick to the top.
| There is 20 be great deal OF stone about
it of reddish bus to blend properly with
the brick The most striking part of the de-
sign is the portechere which stands out bold
| ly On the northeast corner and displays a
mastery hand ing on the part Of the archi-
| tect. Arches OF massive stone, buttressed.
+, likewise support a neavy stone parapet and
copper covered canopy OF design bordering
on the Byrgantine, and unlike anything we
| remember to have seen il our eastern travels.
The stone arches continue in front OF the
main entrance forming piazza, and sup
ported by massive polished granite columns
The gable over the front eutranc with its en-
gagged slender column Its draper work of stone
mosaic and its carving tasteiuily introduced
carried out the expectations raised by the
corsidt ration OF the rest of the design. On
the east the side entrance will have stone
brackets and stone balcony with carving
OF novel workmanship and the round tower
Ike bay on the south side running up into
the the third story 10 correspond with the
billiard hall 10 the north gable Will, with ITS
bold shadow and elegant proportion, make
that side 10 less interesting than the others.
Il NJ
the building, obtained at this pin, as at
the others, by the proper grouping of masses
rather than by fretful superabundancs OF
detail. yard enclosed by a brick wall
skirts the kitchen arrangement from view
and under it lies rain water cistern large
enough to keep any drop from being wasted
The interior of the house is in keeping
with the exterior. The hail and dining
room as you enter ars finished III
oak. This was due as proper recognition
of the owner himself At the end OF the
wall, near the fire place, will be q window
into the dining room with painted glass and
forming part of the design of both The wall
and the dining room NANTES, which will be
Of oak and will reach the ceiling, which is to
show large beams with panels between. A
these two rooms and up the spacious oaksn
stars Down the latter will stream the va
riegated hues from the stained glass in the
large staircase window TO the polished green
wood hall floor. The parlor will be finished
in cherry, with carved wooden mantel of
special design and reaching to the ceiling
where it will meet the ornamental cotfered
work duly guilt and frescoed and all making
the most tasteful combination that can be
procured.
In the library, to the left As you enter, will
be stone mantel Of Lake Superior red sand
stone, carved with foliage and allegoric
heads and reaching to the ceiling. The
book cases will be built and
be finished according to detail
made by the architect, with the latest i'm
provements for portfolios, writing decks,
ETC. The library will all be furnished in
birch. The china closet. between the kitchen
and dining room, the kitchen, laundry, and
chamber are all that remain on the first
floor to be mentioned.
The second floor is devoted to this sleeping
apartments which are airy, spacious and
well supplied with closets, which fact all
home papers will appreciate. The bath
room and nursery are available and yet not
conspicuous, and the terraces and balconies
at suitable points will make this floor par,ic-
nlarly avail able summer evenings.
On the third floor are the servants sleeping
apartments and the billiard room, tho latter
fifty-four feet long from north to south.
In the basement is the steam heating ap-
paratus, the vegetable and wine cellar and
other conveniencee. The doors through
out the building are all veneersd
to correspond with the finish in the nerent
rooms The finish on the and story Ii all OF
gumwecd. There il steam heat throughout
and direct everywhere. There will be French
plate glass in all the room. aud connection
with patent inside sliding blinds. All the
inside details arc laid out in tho very best
style,
We cannot but compliment both the own
er and the architect at the same time, hoping
that it may be the first Of long series that
will ornament before many years cur hdnd-
soonest avenue